February ‘LW’: Weathering a pastoral vacancy

Vacancies are a natural part of the life of any LCMS congregation. However, in recent years, specific challenges have led to an increase of vacancies, and of the average vacancy’s length, across the Synod.

As of the end of 2025, nearly 20% of LCMS parishes — 996, to be exact — were vacant, almost 80% of these for longer than a year. And just 38% of vacant congregations are in the process of calling; the rest, without the means to call a pastor at this time, are in a state of indefinite vacancy.

Vacancies are a real challenge, especially in areas where coverage can be hard to find. However, while vacancies can bring change and tumult to a congregation, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

The February issue of The Lutheran Witness (LW) is all about vacancies. The issue includes articles summarizing advice from district leaders and pastors on how congregations can weather vacancies well; exploring what it means to be the church during a time of vacancy; unpacking the call process and why it works as it does in the LCMS; and reflecting on the natural lifespan of all things in this fallen world — even, sometimes, of congregations.

“For centuries, pastors have prepared the faithful to live for Christ — and to die in Him,” writes the Rev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil. “The blessed end is always the goal; in this life we want to finish well. We must all be prepared to commend ourselves confidently into God’s hands when that time arrives.”

As your congregation is searching for a pastor, the Rev. Doug Thompson reminds: “This is not your church, it’s Christ’s. Christ builds His church, and … He knows the needs of every congregation more than they themselves do. So, though a vacancy may be uncomfortable, you are not without hope.”

You’ll also find the latest installments of LW’s “Life in the Church Year” series; monthly articles on living in step with the liturgical seasons and feasts; and of “The Road to Convention,” which unpacks the structure of the Synod and the LCMS convention for curious readers in the months leading up to this summer’s Synod convention in Phoenix.

Visit witness.lcms.org to subscribe to the print edition and to read select print content and additional web-exclusive articles.

Read ‘Lutheran Witness’ online

Posted Feb. 16, 2026